Miami: South African qualifier Kevin Anderson sent defending champion Novak Djokovic packing on Friday, ending the third-seeded Serbian's bid for a second straight ATP Masters Series title.

Anderson, ranked 122nd in the world, defeated the world number three and reigning Australian Open champion 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 6-4 in a second-round match at the $7.54 million Sony Ericsson Open, which features both the prestigious ATP Masters Series draw and a WTA tournament.

One of the 32 seeded players to enjoy a first-round bye, Djokovic was launching his title defense fresh from claiming the first Masters Series title of 2008 at Indian Wells on Sunday. Anderson, 21, notched the biggest win of his career - his first over a top-10 player.

"I really don't know even what to say right now," Anderson said. "I really tried to give myself the best shot walking in today. I kept telling myself I can do this. I've just got to believe in myself, play my game." "But even still, just knowing what he's done and what a great player he is, and to have actually beaten him, it's a tremendous experience for me."

The South African newcomer to the ATP circuit had already shown he was on form this season. He reached the final of the ATP event in Las Vegas earlier this month, where he fell to American Sam Querrey. Prior to that run, Anderson had lost the only two ATP matches he had ever played.

Djokovic, 20, defeated Argentinian Guillermo Canas in the championship match here last year, becoming the youngest player in the 23-year history of the tournament to take the title.

Source : PTI